Western Theory in East Asian Contexts: Translation and Transtextual Rewriting

Literatures, Cultures, Translation is a new line of books that explores the interface between translation, adaptation, and imitation, raising questions about how to include these forms in Translation Studies research and understanding the incompatibilities between contemporary Western theories and East Asian realities. Examples from the East Asian cultural sphere are analyzed to show how rewriters have appropriated, transcreated, and recontextualized their source texts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Literatures, Cultures, Translation presents a groundbreaking new series of books that delve into the core aspects of translation studies, encompassing a wide range of topics such as history, politics, and gender within the realm of literary translation. This book offers a culturally situated exploration of the intricate interplay between three distinct forms of transtextual rewriting: translation, adaptation, and imitation. By raising two crucial questions, it seeks to expand the scope of Translation Studies research to encompass these latter two forms and thereby gain a deeper understanding of the complexities between contemporary Western theories of translation and the realities of East Asian cultures, both in the past and present.

In recent decades, there has been a remarkable surge of scholarly interest in adaptations and imitations, driven by the flourishing of cinema and fandom studies and the influence of a poststructuralist turn that sheds new light on derivative literature. Against this backdrop, a wealth of examples from the East Asian cultural sphere are analyzed to demonstrate how rewriters have freely appropriated, transcreated, and recontextualized their source texts.

In particular, Sino-Japanese case studies are contrasted with Sino-English ones, with both groups being read against evolving traditions of thinking about free forms of translation, East and West. By examining these examples, the book sheds light on the diverse ways in which rewriters have navigated the boundaries between tradition and innovation, preserving cultural heritage while embracing the possibilities of creative transformation.

Through its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, Literatures, Cultures, Translation provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of translation and its role in shaping cultural identities and intercultural communication. It is an essential resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the multifaceted world of translation and its impact on our understanding of the world.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 137 x 216 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501327827